We studied the meaning given to the terms "death" and "suicide" among psychiatric inpatients. Forty-four patients who had been admitted in a psychiatric inpatient unit following a suicide attempt underwent a qualitative interview, using a "general guide interview" approach. The results were analysed systematically in an attempt to investigate the relationship between attempted suicide and mental disorder. In 6 cases there was no correlation between the attempted suicide and psychopathological symptoms. One of these patients had a psychiatric diagnosis, but this did not seem to be related to the suicide attempt. All of them made a rational deliberate suicidal act. Conclusion: even in a psychiatric inpatient setting, suicide attempts are not always a behavioural expression of underlying psychopathological disturbances - individual and social factors also play a decisive role.